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On the Rebound: 2019 Infiniti QX50

The Infiniti QX50 has struggled to remain relevant over the last few years – not enough changes or updates, some may say. Infiniti, after much development, has finally launched an all-new QX50. The brand is calling it their most compelling model with impeccable design and world-first technology. We were ready to jump behind the wheel and find out if it lived up to their hype.

“Powerful Elegance” is the new design language for Infiniti’s crossover segment. I may not go as far as to say powerful but it certainly is elegant. You might also see a passing resemblance to the Mazda CX-3, but we feel the QX50 . The QX50 is now sporting the double-arch grille to create a modern and distinguished Infiniti face. It has also adopted the LED headlight design which is meant to mimic the human eye. The swooping hood is striking – it’s very detailed and its sculpting emulates constant movement. Much thought went into the design of the QX50; the design of the LED taillights also matches the shape of the headlamps. It’s a smart looking crossover.

Infiniti’s design flows into the interior as well, with a focus on space and functionality. The wheels were pushed as far into the corners as possible to minimize the impact on interior space. It has an airy and bright feel with the optional panoramic moonroof. It’s a great feature all vehicles would benefit from. The trunk was very accommodating and larger than you’d think by looking at the exterior. Infiniti claims it can fit three golf bags. The hidden under-floor storage compartments come in very handy as well. The overall quality and materials used were great – very well done. My biggest gripe with Infiniti is with their infotainment system. They can claim it’s intuitive as much as they want, but the menus are clunky and at times when using the phone or navigation, you really don’t know which screen to start using first. With that said, the 7.0-inch lower screen is quite nice with good picture quality.

For those that are interested in the technical side of things, the 2019 QX50 is equipped with the world’s first production-ready VC-turbo. It’s one of the most advanced internal combustion engines ever created. So what does that mean exactly? It means the VC-turbo changes its compression ration seamlessly by raising and lowers the pistons’ reach. This, in turn, offers better power or efficiency on demand compared to a conventional engine that operates at a single compression ratio. In addition to improved gas mileage, it means more space in the engine bay and 40 pounds less weight. The engine delivers 268 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy was noticeably better with a combined 26 mpg on all-wheel-drive models. During our time with it, the QX50 averaged 24 mpg. The new engine is paired with Infiniti’s new XTRONIC Continuously Variable Transmission. It’s a shift-by-wire system that removes the need for traditional gears. As cool as it all sounds and as well as it works, I miss the feeling of an automatic. By losing the 3.5 liter V6 engine, the 2019 QZ50 no longer has a performance-based sound. That’s a bummer considering all their models used to have a sporty sound about them. Unfortunately, instead of engine noise, there was a lot of road noise, which is not something you’d expect from a luxury crossover.

After what felt like several years of being static, Infiniti has breathed new life into its midsize crossover. The 2019 QX50 offers industry-leading powertrain technology and sophisticated styling. That makes it worth a look if you’re on the market for a luxury crossover